{"id":3693,"date":"2016-12-06T14:06:13","date_gmt":"2016-12-06T14:06:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/christian-gospel.info\/?p=3693"},"modified":"2016-12-06T14:06:13","modified_gmt":"2016-12-06T14:06:13","slug":"revelation-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christiangospel.online\/?p=3693","title":{"rendered":"REVELATION 5"},"content":{"rendered":"
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NOTES ON REVELATION 5<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Survey of the chapter<\/span><\/strong>
\nWhilst chapter 5 continues to describe the throne room of heaven and events that will take place there, the theme is different.\u00a0 It is the Lamb of God that is prominent, telling us the subject is redemption.\u00a0 But not only does redemption apply to those who believe, but also is relevant to this world, and one day the “redemption of the purchased possession” will take place, Ephesians 1:14, and Christ will come to claim what He purchased at Calvary.\u00a0 In the language of the parable, He bought the field for the treasure that was in it, Matthew 13:44, and “the field is the world”, Matthew 13:38.\u00a0 He is able to deliver creation from its bondage, and proves this ability by delivering from the greater bondage of sin.\u00a0 Redemption is also relevant to Israel, and the nation will be delivered from the dispersion, and brought back to the Land of Promise to enjoy the glorious conditions of the millenial reign of Christ.<\/span><\/p>\n

THE WORDS OF THE BIBLE, THE CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES, AS FOUND IN THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION CHAPTER 5, VERSES 1 TO 7:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

5:1\u00a0 And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
\n<\/span><\/strong>
\n 5:2\u00a0 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
\n<\/span><\/strong>
\n 5:3\u00a0 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

5:4\u00a0 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
\n<\/span><\/strong>
\n 5:5\u00a0 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
\n<\/span><\/strong>
\n 5:6\u00a0 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
\n<\/span><\/strong>
\n 5:7\u00a0 And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n


\n5:1\u00a0 And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne a book-<\/span><\/strong> this chapter centres upon the taking of a book from the hand of God.\u00a0 As becomes evident when the book is opened, this is a book of judgement.\u00a0 In fact the words that Ezekiel used of another book might well be applied to it, “lamentations and mourning and woe”, Ezekiel 2:10.\u00a0 It rests on the hand of God, freely available to any who are competent to reach out and take it.\u00a0 Of course, those who guard the throne of God, the elders surrounding it, (the “gate-keepers”, see comments on 4:4), will not allow any to take it whom they know, in their wisdom, are not qualified to do so.<\/span>
\nWritten within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals-<\/span><\/strong> this book of judgement is a scroll, a rolled-up length of writing material; of which sort we are not told.\u00a0 The emphasis is on what it says, and the seals that keep it from being unrolled.\u00a0 The book is completely filled with writing, so there is no room left for any more judgements to be included.\u00a0 When this scroll has been unsealed and unrolled, and its contents made known, God will say “It is done”, 16:17, for His wrath will have been satisfied.\u00a0 The other noticeable feature of this scroll is that it is sealed with, not one, but no less than seven seals.\u00a0 The contents of this scroll are so important, that it must not be read until in the hands of the right person. This is because the reading out of what is written is the signal for the carrying out of the contents.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

5:2\u00a0 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice-<\/span><\/strong> note that the angel is strong, and his voice is loud, for he has the authority of heaven behind him.\u00a0 His voice can reach into all parts of the universe, as the next verse will show, and his strength is enough to repel any who dare to advance upon the book without being qualified to do so.\u00a0 He reaches all potential candidates, and he repels all unqualified candidates.\u00a0 There are those who always seem to want to make angels represent the Lord Jesus in the Book of Revelation, (chapter 10 being a case in point); this is clearly not the case here, for the angel is not the one who advances to the throne to take the book.<\/span>
\nWho is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?-<\/span><\/strong> it is interesting to notice that opening the book is mentioned before loosing the seals, whereas of course the seals must be loosed before the book can be opened.\u00a0 The great question is who is competent to open the book, for only one capable of judging the world in righteousness can do this.\u00a0 Yet God has already stated that He has appointed the one who will judge the world, and He marked Him out by raising Him from among the dead.\u00a0 Here, however, the question is asked so that all who resent Christ’s position may be silenced.\u00a0 It is the same at the Great White Throne judgement.\u00a0 All who stand as sinners before God that fearful day are clearly not registered in the Book of Life, for it is the dead that stand before God then.\u00a0 But nonetheless the Book of Life is opened that no complaint can be entertained, and justice can be seen to be done.<\/span><\/p>\n

5:3\u00a0 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

And no man in heaven-<\/span><\/strong> no saint in heaven, (remembering that by the time these events take place the church saints will be in heaven), is competent to judge men.
\nNor in earth, neither under the earth-<\/span><\/strong> no living men on earth, or dead Old Testament saints in sheol, were able to open the book.\u00a0 All are excluded by these words.
\nWas able to open the book, neither to look thereon- <\/span><\/strong>no-one was competent to judge, and no-one could stand the sight of such fearful judgements as were written in the book.\u00a0 T<\/span><\/span>he judgements are so fearful that there is only one great enough to read them.<\/span><\/p>\n

5:4\u00a0 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon<\/span><\/strong>– we might think that John would be pleased that such a terrible book, full of judgement as it was, would remain unopened.\u00a0 He had the interests of God too much to heart to think that, however.\u00a0 He knew that only by judgement could God deal adequately with the sins of men.\u00a0 His grace through Christ had been spurned too long for Him to ignore the rebellion of earth any longer.\u00a0 Men could have escaped the wrath to come if they had been minded to, but now God’s patience is exhausted.\u00a0 John is only in heaven in spirit, so his weeping does not spoil the joy of heaven, although it is noticed by the occupants of heaven.<\/span><\/p>\n

5:5\u00a0 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not-<\/span><\/strong> the fact that one of the elders can speak to John on his own shows that the 24 elders do not represent a group.\u00a0 They are individual beings.\u00a0 Ones, moreover, who are able to disclose their insight to John.\u00a0 <\/span>
\nBehold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David-<\/span><\/strong> it is interesting that the one who takes the book is described in terms relevant to Israel, thus confirming that the elders have a special relationship with that nation.\u00a0 Long before, Jacob had prophesied that Judah would be like a lion, not only stooping, but going up from the prey, and couching as a lion, with none able to rouse him from his triumphant position, Genesis 49:9.\u00a0 From him the sceptre would not depart.\u00a0 Yet the Judah who heard these words had not prevailed when the test came; neither did he retain the sceptre, for he gave his staff to Tamar, Genesis 38:12-26.\u00a0 There must be another who will fulfil these words.\u00a0 The clue is found in the mention of the Root of David, the one through whom David derives his throne.\u00a0 The Lord Jesus confounded the experts of His day when He asked them how it is that the Messiah can be David’s Son, but also David’s Lord, Matthew 22:41-46.\u00a0 The answer is only known when we take account of His Deity.\u00a0 <\/span>
\nHath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof-<\/span><\/strong> the one who has prevailed over sin and Satan in His life when tempted, and at the cross when crucified, has the authority to take the book.\u00a0 David prevailed over Goliath the Philistine, 1 Samuel 17:50,51; the Root of David has prevailed over a greater foe, the Devil himself.\u00a0 <\/span>
\nClearly there was no dispute over the fact that Christ was of Judah in the days of the apostles, for the writer to the Hebrews can say “For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah”, Hebrews 7:14.\u00a0 He is, more specifically, of David’s line, (as demonstrated by Matthew in the first chapter of his gospel), and therefore is of David.\u00a0 Yet as the Root of David, David is of Him.<\/span>
\nAgain the loosing of the seals is mentioned after the opening of the book, although in practical terms the order would have to be the reverse.\u00a0 Notice that He is worthy to loose the seven seals, for He will complete that task once it is begun, such is His competence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5:6\u00a0 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

And I beheld, and, lo-<\/span><\/strong> John not only saw for himself, “behold”, but draws our attention to the sight as well, “lo”.\u00a0 <\/span>
\nIn the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders-<\/span><\/strong> it is no coincidence that this one is central to the throne, and is in the midst of the creatures that surround the throne also.\u00a0 He is central to God’s purpose, just as He was central upon the cross.\u00a0 There He was numbered with the transgressors, now He is numbered with the heavenly worshippers. The four living creatures are also said to be in the midst of the throne, but they cannot stand with Christ, so they must be behind the throne centrally.<\/span>
\nStood a Lamb as it had been slain-<\/span><\/strong> no longer hanging upon the cross, as if laid on an altar, but standing in resurrection life and power.\u00a0 God has said to Him, “Sit on My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool”, Hebrews 1:13. This position is reserved for Him until a certain time. The particular word for “until” used in Hebrews 1:13 means “up to the time when”.\u00a0 This verse does not imply that He cannot come for the church before the defeat of His enemies at His coming to earth, because even 1000 years after that event He will still have enemies that need to be subdued, see Revelation 20:7-9. The fact that He is seen standing indicates that the time approaches for Him to assert Himself, for God is about to make His foes His footstool.\u00a0 The footstool, that is, of His own throne as He reigns on earth, Matthew 25:31; Revelation 3:21.<\/span>
\nNo doubt John expected to see a lion, but in fact saw a lamb.\u00a0 This illustrates the point that Christ did not triumph over evil by mere force, but dealt with it in a morally satisfactory way.\u00a0 That way was the way of sacrifice, as is indicated by the concept of the lamb, the weak and defenceless one that triumphs through death and resurrection.\u00a0 We see the principle illustrated in the sons of Jacob.\u00a0 Reuben, the first son, forfeited his right to be the firstborn in Jacob’s household through sin, Genesis 49:4.\u00a0 Judah was given the right to rule, but because he fell in a similar way to Reuben, Genesis 38, the firstborn’s right was given to Joseph, who triumphed where the other two succumbed, see Genesis 39, 1 Chronicles 5:1,2.\u00a0 So it is that the two characteristics are combined in Christ- the lion, as Judah, and the lamb, as Joseph.\u00a0 He combines official and moral right in His person.\u00a0 David lamented the fact that his house was not competent to rule because they had sinned, and “he that ruleth over men must be just”, 2 Samuel 23:3,5.\u00a0 In a day to come, when Messiah arrives, the family of the House of David will mourn, no doubt for this very reason, Zechariah 12:12.<\/span>
\nMatthew had begun his gospel with the idea of Christ being son of Abraham, (the True Isaac), and son of David, (the True Solomon).\u00a0 Isaac was the youth on the altar like a young lamb, whereas Solomon was the king on the throne, but also as a young man, for David said of him, “Solomon my son is yet young and tender”, 1 Chronicles 22:5.<\/span>
\nHaving seven horns-<\/span><\/strong> this shows that He has sufficient power to execute the judgements that are about to be inflicted on the earth, for a horn in Scripture speaks of effective power.\u00a0 <\/span>
\nAnd seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth-<\/span><\/strong> He has seven eyes, for He will judge with perfect discernment, by the power of the Spirit of God.\u00a0 As the psalmist said, “He ruleth by His power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves.\u00a0 Selah”, Psalm 66:7.\u00a0\u00a0 But He also has perfect regard for His earthly people, and will redeem them from the hand of the enemy in His good time.\u00a0 “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him”, 2 Chronicles 13:9.\u00a0 “The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry”, Psalm 34:15.<\/span><\/p>\n

5:7\u00a0 And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne-<\/span><\/strong> just as He had sat Himself down on the throne of God after He had ascended, Hebrews 1:3, so now, with perfect confidence, and without any possibility of challenge, He advances to the throne and takes the book.\u00a0 He thus establishes His intention to take control of the judgements of the earth written in the book.\u00a0 God’s right hand is the hand that elevated Him to the place of highest honour, Acts 2:33, and now the same hand lets go of the book and allows Him to take it.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Lord Jesus has authority to judge for the following reasons:<\/span><\/strong>
\n1. He is sinless, and therefore is the only one who can judge the sins of others.\u00a0 As He Himself said, “He that is without sin among you, let him cast first a stone at her”, John 8:7.<\/span>
\n2. He is Only begotten Son of God, and as such has the same right as the Father to judge, being equal with Him, and due equal honour, John 5:22,23. <\/span>
\n3. He is Firstborn Son of God, and as such has had allotted to Him all administration, John 3:3, and judgement is part of that administration.<\/span>
\n4. He is Son of Man, and as such has had given to Him the task of judging men, John 5:27.\u00a0 He stands in relation to all men, and has been here as a man amongst them so that they could have opportunity to come into relationship with Him.<\/span>
\n5. He was slain, and thus showed His utter determination to deal with the root cause of what invites God’s judgement.\u00a0 Only one who has the complete answer to sin has the right to judge that sin.\u00a0 The heavenly host recognise this, so they say “Thou art worthy to take the book for Thou wast slain”, verse 9.<\/span>
\n6. As a result of Calvary, the “prince of this world shall be cast out”, John 12:31, and the judgements initiated by Christ will ensure this.<\/span>
\n7. He is risen from the dead, and “God hath appointed the day in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead”, Acts 17:31.<\/span><\/p>\n

THE WORDS OF THE BIBLE, THE CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES, AS FOUND IN THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION CHAPTER 5, VERSES 8 TO 14:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

5:8\u00a0 And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
\n<\/span><\/strong>
\n 5:9\u00a0 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
\n<\/span><\/strong>
\n 5:10\u00a0 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
\n<\/span><\/strong>
\n 5:11\u00a0 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
\n<\/span><\/strong>
\n 5:12\u00a0 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
\n<\/span><\/strong>
\n 5:13\u00a0 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
\n<\/span><\/strong>
\n 5:14\u00a0 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped Him that liveth for ever and ever.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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5:8\u00a0 And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb-<\/span><\/strong> these who have a deep interest in the affairs of earth, who know the ravages sin has wrought since the day that Adam fell, greatly rejoice when at last one steps forward to remedy the situation.\u00a0 The heavenly host had rejoiced at His first coming, and now they rejoice again, for “He cometh to judge the earth”, Psalm 98:9.\u00a0 All the angels of God shall worship Him when He comes, and these angelic representatives anticipate that glorious time.\u00a0 Note that they do not hesitate to fall down before the Lamb, even though they are in the presence of the one who sits upon the throne.\u00a0 The Father has decreed that all should honour the Son as they honour him, the Father, John 5:23.<\/span>
\nHaving every one of them harps-<\/span><\/strong> as the heavenly counterparts of the temple choir and musicians in Solomon’s temple they are ready to praise God at this intervention by the Lamb.\u00a0 There were those in the temple who “prophesied with a harp”, 1 Chronicles 25:3, by their singing unfolding the mind of God and thus prophesying, and these do the same.<\/span>
\nIt is worth noting that those who sing should say something by their singing.\u00a0 The words of the song should have meaningful content, so that the truth of God is made known in some way.\u00a0 The emphasis should always be on the words, and not the tune, although the tune can enhance the words, if carefully chosen.<\/span>
\nAnd golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints-<\/span><\/strong> no doubt these prayers are for God’s intervention in the earth, uttered perhaps centuries ago, but yet to be answered in God’s good time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5:9\u00a0 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

And they sung a new song-<\/span><\/strong> it may be objected at this point that the twenty four elders cannot be angelic beings because it is said that the latter never sing.\u00a0 That may or may not be so in the past, but this is a new song because of a new situation.\u00a0 Is it not feasible that when the work of Christ is in view, praise is elevated to a higher level, so instead of simply saying, they sing?\u00a0 There is a reference to singing at the founding of the earth in Job 38:7, “Or who laid the corner stone thereof; when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy”.\u00a0 It could well be that the morning stars are angels, for Lucifer was a “son of the morning” before his fall, Isaiah 14:12.<\/span>
\nSaying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation-<\/span><\/strong> these are representative beings, and they sing on behalf of Israel, just as the choir in the temple sang on behalf of the nation.\u00a0 These sing in anticipation of Israel singing for itself.\u00a0 It is true they sing of being redeemed, and reigning on the earth, but they do so representatively, and anticipatively.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the New Testament the Lord Jesus and the apostles spoke of redemption as deliverance from sin.\u00a0 Illustrations of this are as follows: <\/span>
\n“For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many”, Mark 10:45.\u00a0 <\/span>
\n“Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity”, Titus 2:14.\u00a0 <\/span>
\n“In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace”, Ephesians 1:7.\u00a0 <\/span>
\n“There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time”, 1 Timothy 2:5,6.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Scriptures quoted above show how the idea of redemption, the setting free of the slave on payment of a price, was applied in the New Testament to sinners enslaved by sin, but released through the price Christ paid in blood.\u00a0 In the Old Testament, however, the main idea is of deliverance from a place, whether geographical, as Egypt, or financial, as bankruptcy, as in the case of Naomi and Ruth.\u00a0 Hence we read as follows:\u00a0 “Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burden of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgements:”\u00a0 Exodus 6:7.\u00a0 And the prophets linked this event with a future return of the nation, “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away”, Isaiah 35:10.\u00a0 And, “Art Thou not It which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?\u00a0 Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away”, Isaiah 51:10,11.
\n<\/span>
\nThe word redeemed is used twice more in the book of Revelation.\u00a0 In chapter 14:3 we read of 144,000 who have been “redeemed from the earth”, and in verse 4 we learn they have been “redeemed from among men”.\u00a0 Now these are men sealed in chapter 7 from each of the tribes of Israel, yet they are said to be redeemed from among men.\u00a0 So this latter phrase has to do with where they were rescued from, not of which nation they were of.\u00a0 They were sent forth as sheep amongst wolves to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom among all nations, Matthew 24:14, but they were safely brought back by God, and are found before Him in chapter 15.\u00a0 Now the full complement of them is in heaven, redeemed from their place of danger.\u00a0 So it is that the twenty four elders anticipate a time when all Israel shall be redeemed from all the places they have been scattered, and brought to Zion.<\/span>
\nThis scattering is not just that which pertains now, but that which shall be in the future, for they shall be taken into captivity among all nations when Jerusalem is destroyed at the start of the Great Tribulation.\u00a0 Daniel was told that “the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary”, Daniel 9:26.\u00a0 Zechariah prophesied that God would “gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken\u2026and half of the city shall go forth into captivity”, Zechariah 14:2.\u00a0 The Lord Jesus spoke of this when He prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem, “And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation is nigh\u2026for these be the days of vengeance that all things that are written may be fulfilled\u2026there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.\u00a0 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled”, Luke 21:20-24.\u00a0 The time-scale of this treading down of Jerusalem is given in Revelation 11:2 as 42 months, the three and a half years of the Great Tribulation.
\n<\/span>
\nIt is from this captivity that Israel shall be redeemed by the Lord Jesus, for “the Redeemer shall come to Zion”, Isaiah 59:20.\u00a0 From captivity in “all nations”, they are rescued by the power of God.\u00a0 And this the twenty four elders celebrate in advance.<\/span><\/p>\n

5:10\u00a0 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth-<\/span><\/strong> not only will Israel be redeemed from<\/em> things, but to<\/em> things as well.\u00a0 The original intention of the covenant of the law was that they should be “a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation”, Exodus 19:6.\u00a0 They forfeited this privilege, however, by making and worshipping the golden calf.\u00a0 They degenerated further into idolatry until they had to be sent into captivity to judge them.\u00a0 Under the terms of the new covenant, however, they shall all be equal in their knowledge of God, Jeremiah 31:34.\u00a0 Isaiah 61:6 reads, “But ye shall be named the priests of the Lord:\u00a0 men shall call you the ministers of our God”.\u00a0 We know from Ezekiel’s prophecy that priests of the Levitical order shall function in the temple of the kingdom age, offering commemorative sacrifices.\u00a0 But Christ shall be priest upon His throne, Zechariah 6:13, a King-Priest after the order of Melchizedek.\u00a0 The writer to the Hebrews makes an interesting addition to the words of Psalm 110 about this.\u00a0 Instead of quoting “priest after the order of Melchizedek, he writes, “High priest after the order of Melchizedek”, Hebrews 6:20.\u00a0 By this he leaves open the possibility that others would share in that priesthood, for “high priest” supposes people for Him to be high over.\u00a0 Now the priesthood of Christ is founded upon the fact that His life is endless, Hebrews 7:16.\u00a0 Those who have eternal life are therefore qualified to function as priests with Him.\u00a0 This privilege will be known by Israel, for they shall be under the terms of the New Covenant, which involves knowing the Lord, a sign of the possession of eternal life, Jeremiah 31:34; John 17:3.\u00a0 As such they shall reign on the earth with Christ, but they will reign as priests, as Revelation 20:6.\u00a0 Those of Israel who have part in the first resurrection will reign on earth, whereas the church will reign with Him, but not necessarily on earth.
\n<\/span>In Daniel 7:18 we read of the saints of the Most High who take and possess the kingdom.\u00a0 The saints in Daniel’s prophecy refers to angels, who have a special ministry to perform as those sent forth to minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation, Hebrews 1:14.\u00a0 The salvation in question being entrance into the kingdom of Christ upon earth.\u00a0 Then in verse 27 we read of the people (in the singular) of the saints of the Most High, who are given the kingdom.\u00a0 This would refer to the nation of Israel as a nation when it is\u00a0 gathered under their Messiah, (for the word “people” emphasises a congregated company).<\/span>
\nThis is the same scene as Daniel saw in his dream.\u00a0 The Ancient of Days was sitting upon His throne, and “thousands thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him: the judgement was set, and the books were opened”, Daniel 7:10.\u00a0 Then one like unto the Son of Man was brought before Him, “and there was given Him dominion and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages should serve Him:\u00a0 His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed”, Daniel 7:14.<\/span><\/p>\n

5:11\u00a0 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders-<\/span><\/strong> John’s attention is now directed to the massed ranks of the angels.\u00a0 There are one hundred million of them, and more, yet they speak with one voice.\u00a0 There is not a dissenter amongst them as they ascribe honour to the Lamb.\u00a0 This is a reminder of the words of the writer to the Hebrews that “unto the angels hath He not put into subjection the world to come whereof we\u00a0 speak”, Hebrews 2:5.\u00a0 The world to come is the habitable earth which is the subject of chapter 1:6-14, and it is a man who shall administer that.\u00a0 The only one capable of ruling for God is currently at the right hand of God’s throne in heaven, but soon He shall be installed on His own throne of glory upon the earth.\u00a0 <\/span>
\nAnd the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands-<\/span><\/strong> when the law was given we learn from Moses himself that “He came with ten thousands of His saints: from His right hand went a fiery law for them”, Deuteronomy 33:2.\u00a0 But as Hebrews 12:26 says, “Whose voice then shook the earth: but now He hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven”.\u00a0 The angels stand ready to come with Him again, this time to judge the earth, for “the Son of Man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him”, Matthew 25:31.\u00a0 Enoch foresaw this and declared, “Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgement upon all\u2026” Jude 14,15.<\/span><\/p>\n

5:12\u00a0 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Saying with a loud voice-<\/span><\/strong> not only are they united, they are also enthusiastic as they speak with loud voice.\u00a0 The fact that there are myriads of them does not prevent them from heartily expressing their individual appreciation of the Lamb.\u00a0 <\/span>
\nWorthy is the Lamb that was slain-<\/span> <\/strong>they, like the twenty four elders, see the worthiness of the Lamb as being because He was slain.\u00a0 The horror of what earth had done to Him centuries before had not left them.\u00a0 “This is the heir; come let us kill Him!” was the attitude of men, Matthew 21:38, and the angels who looked on, and whose help was not requested, even though it was available, Matthew 26:53,54, have not forgotten.\u00a0 <\/span>
\nTo receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing-<\/span><\/strong> they ascribe seven things to Him.\u00a0 When they say He is worthy to receive, they mean “worthy to receive the credit for”.\u00a0 First, power; this is the dynamite needed to shake the earth to its foundations, in order that a kingdom that cannot be shaken may be established, Hebrews 12:26-29.\u00a0 <\/span>
\nSecond, riches: the angels know that the Divine resources needed to judge the earth are resident in the Lamb, for to Him all administrative rights are given.<\/span>
\nThird, wisdom: the earth’s rulers have been marked by folly.\u00a0 The ultimate expression of this being the crucifixion of the Lord of glory because they were ignorant of Him, 1 Corinthians 2:8.\u00a0 The greater than Solomon in all His wisdom stands ready to rule the world.<\/span>
\nFourth, strength: the glory of this might, this ability to prevail, will be manifested when Christ comes to earth, 2 Thessalonians 1:9.<\/span>
\nFifth, honour: the value placed upon one by those competent to judge.\u00a0 When He came to Israel, they “esteemed Him not”, Isaiah 53:3, or, in other words, valued Him at nothing.\u00a0 They certainly did not think Him to be worthy of the throne of David.\u00a0 God’s verdict is otherwise, and the angels agree.<\/span>
\nSixth, glory:\u00a0 the outshining of inner excellence is pre-eminently His, and the angels are not afraid to express this in the presence of God.\u00a0 Those who glorify Christ in no wise detract from the glory of the Father.\u00a0 He said in the Old Testament, “I am the Lord: that is My name: and My glory I will not give to another, neither My praise to graven images”, Isaiah 42:8.\u00a0 In John 17:5 however, the Lord Jesus prayed thus, “And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was”.\u00a0 That prayer has been answered, and that place of acknowledged glory has been given back to the Son of God.\u00a0 When down here this glory was withheld from Him, as men largely refused His claims, but in heaven He is glorified as He should be.\u00a0 The angels are happy to recognise this.<\/span>
\nSeventh, blessing:\u00a0 on earth Christ was cursed and blasphemed by men, but the psalmist had predicted that He would “receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of His salvation”, Psalm 24:5.\u00a0 And so it has come to pass in heaven, and soon on earth as well.\u00a0 Injustice and cursing has been exchanged for righteousness and blessing.<\/span><\/p>\n

5:13\u00a0 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying-<\/span> <\/strong>the praise of the Lamb now extends universally, as John hears every creature recognising God and the Lamb.\u00a0 This is not to say that all are believers, but all are constrained to admit that God and the Lamb are worthy of recognition.\u00a0 Psalm 148 calls upon all to acknowledge the Lord, and this is the response to that call.\u00a0 All the angel hosts, of whatever rank; all men on earth; all the dead in the grave; all that are sailing on the sea, (for when men are on board ship they often feel as if they are released from the constraints of morality), are united in recognising God and the Lamb.\u00a0 <\/span>
\n“All that is in them” is literally “And all the things in them”, so it is not a question of wholehearted response, but universal response without exception.\u00a0 <\/span>
\nAll recognise that blessing comes from the throne of God.\u00a0 After long centuries of blaming God for evil, they at last realise it was not true.\u00a0 When God was manifest in flesh, He came to bless, not curse.\u00a0 They are forced to admit that the ones who seemed to be so important, as the Antichrist and his false prophet dominated the earth, are but tools of the Devil, and have received their due recompense.\u00a0 At last glory will be given to the God of heaven and His Son.\u00a0 Glory which they refused Christ when He was here, and refused God when He was judging the earth in the tribulation, Revelation 16:9, “they repented not to give Him glory”.<\/span>
\nThere will be universal admission in that day that God is the God of power, for His judgements will have demonstrated that convincingly.<\/span><\/p>\n

5:14\u00a0 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped Him that liveth for ever and ever.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped Him that liveth for ever and ever-<\/span><\/strong> the representatives of the earth say Amen to these words, for they have an interest in the name of God and the Lamb being celebrated by all creatures.\u00a0 The worship of the hosts of heaven now gives way to the woes on earth.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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